Our Canada based Law Firm is staffed with more than 25 licensed lawyers, licensed immigration consultants and technical personnel. Our firm represents international celebrities in the fashion industry and performing arts as well as some of North America’s largest corporations in their immigration and staffing projects.

An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is a new requirement for foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries arriving in Canada by air, whether to visit the country directly or to pass through in transit.

Boucherville, Québec, has topped the MoneySense 2015 List of Canada’s Best Places to Live, replacing last year’s top ranked place to live, St. Albert,Alberta. Ottawa has been ranked as the top large city, coming in at second place in the overall index.

The MoneySense index compiles data from Environics Analytics, Statistics Canada, and several other data providers, comparing several factors to assess 209 communities across the country. The greatest weighting is given to housing prices, employment and incomes, which are all given particular importance in the report, followed by factors like access to health care, low crime, good public transportation and weather. The index is broken down according to city size.

With a population of just over 43,000 inhabitants, and located across the St. Lawrence River from Montreal, top-ranked Boucherville is a predominately French-speaking community. The city boasts excellent livability ratings, scoring high marks in just about every category measured, including low unemployment, high incomes and affordable housing, as well as strong population growth, good access to transit and a vibrant arts community.

Joining St. Albert, Alberta, in its slide down the rankings are Calgary and Strathcona County, two other cities in Alberta. The decline in Alberta is due to the fact that oil prices have fallen by more than half since last year’s index, and unemployment in the province has started to rise. Several locations in the West of Canada have fallen down the rankings in 2015, reversing a trend of recent years.

This year Ottawa is ranked as the top large city (those with populations over 400,000) and second overall, earning high marks for incomes, transportation, access to health care and low taxes. Ottawa is particularly well known for its historic buildings, museums and Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill. Residents cite the farmers’ markets, the Central Experimental Farm, easy access to skiing in the Gatineau Hills, and cross-border shopping in the US as being great features of their stable and prosperous city. Though Ottawa’s average home price of $422,000 is not cheap, its affordability is on par with much smaller cities.

While Ottawa has consistently been near the top of the rankings of large cities for several years, other large cities have made dramatic improvements as well. Hamilton, Ontario, has climbed to No. 41 from No. 77 mainly due to improvements in unemployment and property tax, while Surrey, B.C., moved up the list from No. 174 to No. 141.

Mid-sized cities have also recorded gains this year. Burlington, Ontario, is top of this category, ranking No. 3 in the overall list. Its close proximity to Toronto, Hamilton and the US border is one of the main reasons families settle here, with large park spaces and the close proximity to several schools raising the appeal.

When it comes to the best places to retire, people tend to be more concerned with mild weather, low property taxes, and having good access to health care, rather than economic factors like unemployment. On that basis, MoneySense has ranked Ottawa as the Best Place to Retire in 2015.

The top slot in the Best Places to Raise Kids in 2015 goes to St. Albert in Alberta. A combination of factors makes life easier for young families, with the youth demographic being the primary one. The large young population has helped maintain the popularity of the International Children’s Festival, which has been running in the city for more than 30 years.

For immigrants, the most important factors include good job prospects, high incomes, good transit, and affordable housing, as well as existing immigrant communities that they can be a part of. While big cities are usually the first preference for immigrants, other places like Saanich, B.C., are also sensible choices. The city is safe, and boasts of low unemployment and good public transit, with more than 17% of the city’s population being of an immigrant background.

Lastly, in terms of wealthiest cities, with an average household net worth above $1 million, this year there are six cities on the list, up from only two last year. West Vancouver, B.C., tops the list, while Canmore, Alberta recorded the biggest gain in net worth, up 20% since last year.

A hundred Iranian immigrant investors have appealed to the Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister to approve their applications which have been held up for up to two years due to the economic sanctions imposed against Iran.

The Iranian applicants have been nominated by provincial immigrant investor programs run by British Columbia, Manitoba and Quebec, and are required to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in those provinces. But because of the economic sanctions on Iran imposed under the Special Economic Measures Act, the applicants cannot transfer money from Iran without a special permit from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Canada halted all financial transactions with Iran since 2011, and suspended diplomatic relations between the countries in 2012.

The applicants now say they will take legal action if their applications are not processed within 30 days.

“Some of these applications date back 24 months, without any word or decision being taken on [the part of the minister],” the applicants said in letters sent to the ministry. “It is hard to understand why no decision has been reached regarding these … demands which represent a substantial investment in the Canadian economy.”

Depending on the program’s requirements in different provinces, the applicants are required to invest anywhere between $200,000 to $800,000.

The latest appeal comes following a similar one in January, when 41 of 54 applicants to Quebec successfully obtained their permits after threats of legal action. Lawyers representing Iranian nationals who want to immigrate say the sanctions have been applied in ways that hurt law-abiding Iranian nationals rather than the government of Iran.

The spokesman for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, François Lasalle, has defended the ministry saying, “The issuance of such a permit is not automatic; it is an exceptional action at the discretion of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Canada has held a clear position on Iran’s support for terrorism, its nuclear ambitions, and its abysmal record on human rights.”

Speaking recently on the occasion of the Iranian new year, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Canada is open to “those who seek refuge from the Iranian regime.”

The Quebec government has revealed important details under its popular skilled worker immigration program that is set to reopen on November 4, 2015. It plans to receive 6300 new applications during the 2015-2016 period. The Quebec program features more than 75 eligible occupations and areas of training that will enable applicants to qualify for a Quebec Certificate of Selection (CSQ), without a job offer.

Ability to communicate in the french language is often not required.

The period of reception for applications under the Quebec skilled worker program will operate under two systems.

November 4 – December 15, 2015: Maximum 3500 applications will be accepted by Post.

(NOTE: The maximum number of applications by post was received as of November 10, 2015. This intake period is currently closed).

January 18 – March 31, 2016:Maximum 2800 applications will be accepted via the internet.

Unlike the federal Express Entry immigration systemor programs offered by other provinces under Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), Quebec remains the only program in Canada where skilled worker applicants can predict their chances for admission on the basis of their proven qualifications. Applicants, who reach a passing score under the Quebec system, receive a CSQ which enables them to qualify for Canadian permanent residence.

A Quebec skilled worker is foreign national who intends to settle in Quebec to hold employment the foreign national is likely able to hold. This determination is made using a point system which evaluates the candidate’s area of training, education, experience, age, language, qualifications of a partner or spouse, offer of employment (which is not required), children and adaptability.

Applicants in a wide range of areas including Management and Financial Services, Engineering and Information Technology and Health Care, have the best chances to succeed under the Quebec Skilled Worker program.

The Quebec application selection process follows a multi-stage assessment process each with minimum cut-off scores. Applicants with a passing score are issued a Quebec Certificate of Selection and may apply to the federal authorities for entry to Canada. Once admitted a permanent resident enjoys all the rights and freedoms of labour mobility throughout Canada provided under the Canadian Charter.

“Montreal is a vibrant metropolis and continues to offer outstanding economic opportunities and quality of life”, says Attorney Colin Singer, Managing Partner of www.immigration.ca and Global Recruiters of Montreal (www.grnmontreal.com).

“For those who are interested in relocating to Canada, the Quebec program offers distinct advantages. First, it manages the largest immigration program among all the provinces in Canada. Second, it does not permit the Minister to actively pick and choose the applicants it wants. This provides applicants to Quebec with more predictability of outcome over the federal Express Entry system and other provincial immigration programs” says Attorney Singer.

Overall, Quebec plans to receive approximately 50,000 immigrants in 2016, under all classes, including nearly 30,000 skilled workers. This is consistent with the immigration levels in 2015.

If previous indicators are a valid measure, Quebec’s quota of 6300 under the skilled worker program will likely fill quickly. However applicants with a valid job offer, previous work experience in Quebec or having completed a valid period of study in Quebec may also qualify under the Quebec Experience Class and would not be subject to the skilled worker program quota.

Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with your evaluation results within 1-2 business days.

New rules relating to immigration to Quebec are hindering universities in their efforts to hire highly-qualified international professors. Most notably, the French language requirement is posing a serious obstacle in attracting foreign talent, as many otherwise talented candidates do not meet this condition.

Quebec’s complicated points-based immigrant entry system puts the province’s universities at a disadvantage compared to other Canadian and American universities, say academics from Quebec’s English-language universities.

The French language requirement for permanent residency in Quebec was raised in 2013. Ghyslaine McClure, associate provost at McGill, says that her university is finding it increasingly difficult to recruit good professors for research chairs as candidates who are above 40 years of age are not very keen on taking French classes in addition to their research work duties.

In addition, the immigration process requires a lot of paperwork before a candidate can move to Quebec. “We would like a special recognition that university professors are highly specialized workers and they should not have that many obstacles. Professors and other eminent specialists are a different ball game,” says McClure.

There is some respite for professors with PhDs, however. The government modified the rules in December to award “points” to candidates holding PhDs, which might allow them to skip the French requirement.

Concordia University’s journalism professor Stanton Paddock is happy with this respite. Paddock says he panicked upon learning that he needed to learn a lot of French in order to move to Quebec back in 2013, but now he believes his PhD may help him bypass the requirement. For many professors, obtaining permanent residency is very important as several universities and institutions do not grant full tenure without it.

For candidates fluent in French, the new rules are not much of a hindrance. “Learning French was part of the reason I was excited to move here. I enjoy the language (but) I can imagine for people who don’t have that background it would be onerous,” says Emer O’Toole, a professor at Concordia’s School of Canadian Irish Studies, who had studied French before coming to Quebec.

O’Toole says that the French requirement has been made necessary because Quebec wants to protect the importance of its language. “It’s very likely (without the protections) French would lose its hold and stop being the primary language in Montreal,” she said.

Quebec’s Immigration Minister Kathleen Weil has said that she would be hearing recommendations to improve the province’s immigration system. She said that the government wanted to assimilate immigrants into a French-speaking workforce, but understood that the French language requirements were hurting many business groups. “Employer groups have raised the issue about language requirements, should we relax

them or not. The overall opinion (of the government) is that we need to be very careful and it’s important to have people speak French,” she said.

Quebec’s Department of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion intends to accept a maximum of 1,750 new investment immigration applications between 20th January 2015 and 20th March 2015. The province shall accept a maximum of 1,200 applications from investors from the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, and Macao.

Under Quebec’s investment immigration program, investors are required to apply for issue of the selection certificates. Interested investors are free to apply for residency permit. The cases shall be analyzed and 1750 most-suitable cases shall be retained for issue of the selection certificate. In 2013, Quebec had accepted 1,250 applications from the total 5,000 applications that it had received.

Under the program, applicants with minimum net assets of $1.6 million are required to invest $800,000 through Investissement Québec into non-interest bearing government-backed Quebec government note with tenure of five years. The Quebec program requires investors to settle and reside in the province in the initial period after grant of residence.

The proceeds from the program are used to promote creation of jobs and economic growth through development of Quebec companies.

Attorney Colin Singer Commentary:

Since the Federal government eliminated its investor program in 2014, Quebec has become the face of Canada’s passive immigrant investor industry. At current thresholds this program is one of the cheapest in the residence through investment industry. Stakeholders expect the Quebec government to increase qualifying and investment thresholds from current levels when the program re-opens in the future.

The provincial government of Quebec is planning to launch a consultation to understand the pinions and views of its residents regarding immigration, diversity, and inclusion in the province. The consultation move is making it easier for the government to implement the planned overhaul of its immigration policy.

The Immigration Minister for the province noted that finding a job was the biggest challenge for new Quebecers. The Minister opined that integration of the immigrant into the workforce through recognition of his or her professional skills was an issue that the government sought to address in its policy overhaul.

The government also plans to recognize foreign credentials; the absence of such recognition being a source of immense frustration for skilled immigrants from other countries. The Minister said that the government was aware of the feeling of exclusion that immigrants experience when they are unable to find jobs after shifting to the province.

To minimize instances of second generation immigrants failing to find jobs suited to their skills, the government plans to involve critical employers in the discussion about the new immigration policy planned by the government. There have been reports of instances of immigrants from visible minorities or those who don’t come across as French speakers struggling to find jobs in the province.

Speaking about the demand for a secular charter, the Minister said that the government prefers to focus on real issues related to immigration instead of talking about a charter of values, which would only lead to a divisive debate. These comments were aimed at the PQ leadership candidate, Bernard Drainville, who has announced his version of the new secular charter bill. Bernard has stated unequivocally that integration cannot occur without secularism, and that the State must remain neutral to preserve diversity.

The consultations about the new immigration policy are set to commence from the end of January 2015.

The Modified Processing Instructions for Information Technology Work Permit Applications (Software Pilot) for British Columbia and Quebec

Issue

This Operational Bulletin (OB) replaces OB 225-D, published on September 30, 2011. OB 225-D dealt with the “Modified Processing Instructions for Information Technology (IT) Work Permit Applications (Software Pilot) for British Columbia and Quebec”. At present, the authorities have decided to keep the facilitated process for Quebec in place until further notice.

Situations will arise where officers receive work permit applications for the seven specific Information Technology (IT) occupations. The authorities had placed these seven occupations in the facilitated process for Information Technology (IT) specialists destined to British Columbia. Henceforth however, work permit applications for these seven occupations will require a Labour Market Opinion (LMO). This requirement comes into effect from January 01, 2012.

In OB 225-E, the authorities have mentioned that the facilitated process for British Columbia concluded on December 31, 2011. However, the authorities aim to keep the facilitated process for Quebec in place until further notice.

Background

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) [Service Canada] issued a notice to employers on May 20, 2010. It notified the employers that the simplified process for certain Information Technology (IT) occupations was going to end on September 30, 2010.

It also informed the employers that employers wishing to hire a Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW), who was previously ineligible for Information Technology (IT) facilitated processing, would need to apply for a Labour Market Opinion (LMO). This update applied everywhere except in:

British Columbia, where the authorities extended the simplified process for certain Information Technology (IT) applications till December 31, 2011 and,

Quebec, where the authorities extended the simplified process for certain Information Technology (IT) applications until further notice

Thus, employers would need to apply for a Labour Market Opinion (LMO) for the specified workers with effect from October 01, 2010.

The Guidelines

The Guidelines Applicable for Work Permit Applications Received Prior to January 01, 2012

Officers will apply the terms of the simplified entry process for the seven specific Information Technology (IT) occupations. The authorities have specified the details of these occupations on the website of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). They will do so for work permit applications they receive up to and including December 31, 2011 for:

Initial applications and,

Renewals

On approving these applications, the officers would need to ensure that they have a maximum duration of one year from the date of work permit issuance. This is in accordance with previously issued instructions.

The Guidelines Applicable for Work Permit Applications Received On or After January 01, 2012

The authorities have mandated that certain work permit applications would require a Labour Market Opinion (LMO). This is especially applicable in cases where the work permit applications are for the seven specific Information Technology (IT) occupations, which previously came under the facilitated process. This requirement comes into effect from January 01, 2012.

In addition, the Labour Market Opinion (LMO) would need to specify the requirements for the durations of the occupations. The officers would need to ensure that the work permit durations are in accordance with the requirements specified within the Labour Market Opinion (LMO).

Officers must also note that the facilitated process will continue in Quebec until further notice.

Readers might require more information about the information given in this OB. They could refer to the website of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) for obtaining greater clarity on the subject.

2013 saw Quebec’s population rising by about 63,000, but it also saw the total growth rate for the province decreasing for the fourth consecutive year.

This week the annual report on population statistics as released by the Institut de la statistique du Québec, found that the slowdown was not due to a declining number of births and deaths (which remained stable last year), but in fact due to migration changes.

“The slowdown was due to changes in migration components, such as higher interprovincial losses and a decline in the number of immigrants,” the institute noted in a statement.

Quebec welcomed 5,500 fewer immigrants to the province in 2013: around 52,000 compared to 55,050 in 2012. The top countries of origin were China, France and Algeria, followed by Haiti and Morocco. Nearly two out of three newcomers were aged 20 to 44. In 2013, 13,100 people left to live in another province, as compared to 8,7000 Quebecers in 2012 that relocated. The first choice of destination was Ontario (7,100) and Alberta (4,700).

End of Simplified Entry Process for Information Technology Specialists for Quebec

Issue

This Operational Bulletin (OB) replaces OB 225-E, published on January 06, 2012. OB 225-E dealt with the “Modified Processing Instructions for Information Technology (IT) Work Permit Applications (Software Pilot) for British Columbia and Quebec”.

Officers might still process work permit applications under the facilitated process if:

They receive the work permit applications by March 24, 2012

The work permit applications are for the seven specific Information Technology (IT) occupations

The work permit applications include a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) that lists a “date of issue” of February 23, 2012 or earlier

The authorities ended the facilitated process for Quebec on February 23, 2012. In OB 225-E, the authorities had mentioned that the facilitated process for British Columbia concluded on December 31, 2011.

Background

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) [Service Canada] issued a notice to employers on May 20, 2010. It notified the employers that the simplified process for certain Information Technology (IT) occupations was going to end on September 30, 2010.

It also informed the employers that employers wishing to hire a Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW), who was previously ineligible for Information Technology (IT) facilitated processing, would need to apply for a Labour Market Opinion (LMO). This update applied everywhere except in:

British Columbia, where the authorities extended the simplified process for certain Information Technology (IT) applications till December 31, 2011 and,

Quebec, where the authorities extended the simplified process for certain Information Technology (IT) applications until further notice

Thus, employers would need to apply for a Labour Market Opinion (LMO) for the specified workers with effect from October 01, 2010.

Recently, the following parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU):

In accordance with the terms specified under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the authorities have specified a facilitated Labour Market Opinion (LMO) process for selected occupations. Quebec has identified these selected occupations as being in-demand. This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) comes into effect from February 24, 2012.

The Guidelines

These are applicable for work permit applications received prior to February 24, 2012.

Officers will apply the terms of the simplified entry process for Information Technology (IT) specialists for Quebec. They will do so for work permit applications they receive up to and including February 23, 2012 for:

Initial applications and,

Renewals

On approving these applications, the officers would need to ensure that they have a maximum duration of one year from the date of work permit issuance.

The Transitional Provisions

The authorities have mandated that certain work permit applications would require a Labour Market Opinion (LMO). This is especially applicable in cases where the work permit applications are for the seven specific Information Technology (IT) occupations, which came under the facilitated process. However, applicants would not need to meet the Labour Market Opinion (LMO) requirements if any transitional provisions apply.

Officers would still be able to process work permit applications under the facilitated process if:

They receive the work permit applications by March 24, 2012

The work permit applications are for the seven specific Information Technology (IT) occupations

The work permit applications include a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) that lists a “date of issue” of February 23, 2012 or earlier

On approving these applications, the officers would need to ensure that they have a maximum duration of one year from the date of work permit issuance.

The authorities have put in place these transitional measures for a period of 30 days. This is to minimise operational impacts on partners and clients.

Readers might require more information about the information given in this OB. They could refer to the websites of the following organisations for obtaining greater clarity on the subject:

LMO-exempt work permit renewals/extensions for certain CSQ holders currently in Quebec

Summary

This Operational Bulletin (OB) informs officers about the parameters prescribed by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion (MIDI). These parameters enable certain applicants to submit an application:

For renewing their work authorisations in Canada or,

For extending their work authorisations in Canada

These applicants can do so, without having to obtain a Labour Market Opinion (LMO).

However, this provision is only applicable for some Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) holders. That too, only if they are currently residing in Quebec.

That too, without requiring the employer to obtain a Labour Market Opinion (LMO) from:

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)

Service Canada (SC) and,

Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion (MIDI)

This process will only come into effect when officers begin processing an application for Permanent Residence (PR). However, the applicant should have submitted this application for Permanent Residence (PR) under the Quebec Skilled Worker category.

Background

The provinces and territories in Canada have signed immigration agreements with Canada. These agreements enable these provinces and territories to nominate foreign nationals who:

Intend to establish themselves permanently in a specific province or territory via,

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

This applies to all Canadian provinces and territories, with the exception of:

Nunavut and,

Quebec

In the absence of such an immigration agreement, the authorities refer to R205 (a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). R205 (a) authorises officers to issue LMO-exempt work permit to certain individuals, as long as these individuals create or maintain certain significant benefits or opportunities for:

Canadian citizens or,

Permanent residents

These significant benefits or opportunities could typically include the creation or maintenance of:

Social benefits or opportunities

Cultural benefits or opportunities OR,

Economic benefits or opportunities

Quebec selects some foreign nationals under it’s:

Programme régulier des travailleurs qualifiés (PRTQ) and,

Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ)

It provides work extensions for some of these foreign nationals with their:

Current employers or,

New employers

That too, without the employers having to obtain a Labour Market Opinion (LMO).

However, to receive these extensions of work authorisations, these foreign nationals would need to meet certain eligibility criteria. These criteria require that the foreign national:

Wait for a decision in regard to their application for Permanent Residency (PR)

Hold a valid work permit and,

Reside in the province of Quebec currently

The Current Process

Section 5.27 of the Foreign Worker Manual (FW 1) outlines the current policy guidelines for the issuance of LMO-exempt work permits for foreign nationals. These guidelines apply to foreign nationals selected by a province that does not have a Federal-Provincial Nomination Agreement.

The authorities have placed certain elements under the heading “2. Foreign Worker Nominated by a Province or Territory (PNP)”. These elements apply to designated Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) holders in Quebec for this process. These elements specify that:

Officers could issue a work permit without requiring a Labour Market Opinion (LMO) to a person who:

Has been nominated by a province or territory for permanent residence and,

Has a job or a job offer from an employer based in that province

The officers would only apply this provision upon finding a letter from the provincial or territorial government along with the application for the work permit

This letter must confirm that the foreign national has been nominated for permanent residence by the province

The officers would need to ensure that the duration of the work permit is for the same period as the duration of the job offer

Officers would also need to remember that R205 (a) remains the legislative authority for exemption

This is especially applicable for provinces or territories that do not have any nominee agreements

The Additional Conditions for Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) Holders in Quebec

The applicants would also need to meet certain other conditions for becoming eligible for an extension of work authorisation. This would include: